NCC features in a short spotlight column the official representative from each of our Allied Leader and Allied Member companies. This week’s Allied Leader Spotlight is Austin Jasek, Technical Account Manager, Poultry at Zinpro.
We asked Austin three questions:
In 2-3 sentences, describe what good or service your company provides to the broiler industry.
Zinpro® manufactures performance trace minerals bound in a 1:1 ratio with amino acids. Our science, service, and support create a partnership with customers that advances bird health and performance. Our broiler support tools include the Zinpro® Perfect Carcass® Tool for reducing condemnations and maximizing profits, and the Zinpro® H2O Water Analysis Program™, which helps producers understand water’s impact on flock performance.
Can you briefly describe your position and responsibilities within the company?
As a Technical Account Manager, Poultry at Zinpro, my primary focus is supporting customers and building strong, lasting relationships across their organizations. Working with a diverse range of customers provides opportunities to learn, grow, and develop solutions that help them achieve their goals. My background in poultry nutrition and research allows me to provide science-based recommendations and support informed decision-making. In addition to customer-facing responsibilities, I enjoy serving on graduate student committees and helping organize the Arkansas Nutrition Conference, which allows me to engage with and support the next generation of poultry industry professionals.
What is your favorite chicken dish?
Grilled Marinated Chicken Thighs – marinate 3-4 hours in blend of Dijon mustard, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, honey, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. A nice flavor that pairs well with just about anything.


NCC President George Watts (R) with Jamie Whitten, a Democratic U.S. Representative from Mississippi who served in the House for 53 years (1941–1995). He was the powerful chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations from 1979 through 1992. He previously led its Agriculture Subcommittee for decades, earning the nickname “the permanent secretary of agriculture.” Today, USDA’s Whitten Building is named after him. Photo from 1986.
U.S. total broiler slaughter data for the week ending August 1, 2026, is estimated by USDA’s Poultry Market News Service to be 172,471,000 broilers, no change from the same week a year earlier.
The no change in slaughter compares with a 2-percent increase in eggs set in the United States, 10 weeks earlier, and a 2-percent increase in chicks placed 7 weeks earlier in the United States. USDA’s latest Broiler Hatchery report can be viewed here.
| U.S. Eggs Set, Chicks Placed, Broiler Slaughter Report | ||||||||||
| Week ending | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Broilers slaughtered | |||||
| change from | change from | 10 weeks previous | 7 weeks previous | |||||||
| 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | ||||||
| -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | |
| Jun | ||||||||||
| 27 | 252,451 | 101 | 198,693 | 102 |
256,143 | 102 | 198,147 | 103 | 175,775 | 100 |
| Jul | ||||||||||
| 4* | 251,707 | 100 | 197,202 | 101 |
256,545 | 102 | 198,526 | 103 | 162,227 | 113 |
| 11 | 251,807 | 102 | 195,611 | 100 |
257,171 | 103 | 198,833 | 103 | 174,700 | 101 |
| 18 | 254,422 | 102 | 195,455 | 101 |
255,377 | 102 | 197,500 | 102 | 171,980 | 100 |
| 25 | 254,401 | 102 | 194,507 | 100 |
256,660 | 102 | 198,472 | 103 | 173,011 | 102 |
| Aug | ||||||||||
| 1 | 254,134 | 102 | 194,392 | 101 |
256,395 | 102 | 198,318 | 102 | 172,471 | 100 |
| 8 | — | — | — | — |
257,558 | 102 | 198,971 | 102 | — | — |
*July 4th Holiday Weekend
With Congress now in August recess, NCC’s Washington Report will run on a biweekly basis until Labor Day. The next issue will be Friday, August 21. Thank you for reading!

